Immigrants

Published: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 7:49 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 7:49 a.m.

Renee Baron of Lundy is keeping a close eye on congressional work that could impact immigrants. “We need reforms. We need a pathway to citizenship,” she says. “But we also need to secure the borders. We don’t need more illegal immigrants. The ones who are here and contributing to society, however, should get a pathway to citizenship. I hope Congress passes something that helps.”

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‘LOVING IT HERE’: Connie Sabroske of Hendersonville isn’t from this neck of the woods.

She’s from Jacksonville, Fla.

And she’s not going back. “I think they like transplants here,” she says about her new surroundings. “People here are friendly. Kudos to them.

Besides that, you don’t have the bugs here like we had in Florida. And we don’t have to worry about hurricanes. It’s a great life here, and you get four seasons, although I’ve been freezing my tush off a lot longer than I like. But I’m loving it here.”

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OFFENDING A FRENCHMAN: Hendersonville resident Sibyl Lange’s daughter-in-law lives in France, where they tell that if you want to offend a Frenchman just tell him that things work better in America. Here’s an example from the daughterin- law: An American arrived in Paris and took a taxi. When they passed the Arc de Triomphe, the American asked, “What’s that?” “The Arc de Triomphe,” answered the taxi driver. “How long did it take to build that?” the American then asked. “Five years,” said the driver. “Back home that would take three days,” bragged the American. Next they passed the Eiffel Tower. “What’s that?” asked the American.

The now bristling driver replied, “I don’t know. It wasn’t there this morning.”

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ONE MORE THING: A young, avid golfer found himself with a few hours to spare one afternoon.

He figured if he hurried and played very fast, he could get in nine holes before he had to head home. Just as he was about to tee off, an old man asked whether he could join him. Not being able to say no, he allowed the old gent to join him. To his surprise, the old man played fairly quickly.

They reached the ninth fairway, and the young golfer found himself with a tough shot. There was a large pine tree right in front of his ball, directly between his ball and the green. After several minutes of debating how to hit the shot, the old man said, “When I was your age I’d hit the ball right over that tree.” With that challenge placed before him, the youngster swung hard, hit the ball up, right smack into the top of the tree trunk, and it thudded back onto the ground not a foot from where he stood.

The old man offered one more comment, “Of course, son, when I was your age, that pine tree was only four feet tall.”

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Come out to Historic Johnson Farm on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for the annual Spring Festival.

The cost is $5 for adults; $3 for students; free for preschoolers. The event will offer food and entertainment throughout the day. New this year is the grand opening of the historic cottage used by Etta, the summer cook’s helper at the Johnson Farm. It reflects the simple life lived on a farm in the 1940s and 1950s. Among the musical performers will be the Green Valley Cloggers, a group that was formed in 1978 and has performed all over the Southeast. Also performing will be the Asheville Cloggers; two bluegrass bands, Canoe Grass and Boylston Creek; and a duo of dulcimer players. You can watch demonstrations of old-time Appalachian crafts, and farm volunteers will host a bake sale featuring luscious, buttery pound cakes, some of which are based on the original Johnson family recipe. Guided tours of the farmhouse will be offered, and you can even enjoy a fun-filled ride in an authentic farm wagon pulled over the wooded country trail.

<p>Renee Baron of Lundy is keeping a close eye on congressional work that could impact immigrants. “We need reforms. We need a pathway to citizenship,” she says. “But we also need to secure the borders. We don't need more illegal immigrants. The ones who are here and contributing to society, however, should get a pathway to citizenship. I hope Congress passes something that helps.”</p><p>u</p><p>'LOVING IT HERE': Connie Sabroske of Hendersonville isn't from this neck of the woods.</p><p>She's from Jacksonville, Fla.</p><p>And she's not going back. “I think they like transplants here,” she says about her new surroundings. “People here are friendly. Kudos to them.</p><p>Besides that, you don't have the bugs here like we had in Florida. And we don't have to worry about hurricanes. It's a great life here, and you get four seasons, although I've been freezing my tush off a lot longer than I like. But I'm loving it here.”</p><p>u</p><p>OFFENDING A FRENCHMAN: Hendersonville resident Sibyl Lange's daughter-in-law lives in France, where they tell that if you want to offend a Frenchman just tell him that things work better in America. Here's an example from the daughterin- law: An American arrived in Paris and took a taxi. When they passed the Arc de Triomphe, the American asked, “What's that?” “The Arc de Triomphe,” answered the taxi driver. “How long did it take to build that?” the American then asked. “Five years,” said the driver. “Back home that would take three days,” bragged the American. Next they passed the Eiffel Tower. “What's that?” asked the American.</p><p>The now bristling driver replied, “I don't know. It wasn't there this morning.”</p><p>u</p><p>ONE MORE THING: A young, avid golfer found himself with a few hours to spare one afternoon.</p><p>He figured if he hurried and played very fast, he could get in nine holes before he had to head home. Just as he was about to tee off, an old man asked whether he could join him. Not being able to say no, he allowed the old gent to join him. To his surprise, the old man played fairly quickly.</p><p>They reached the ninth fairway, and the young golfer found himself with a tough shot. There was a large pine tree right in front of his ball, directly between his ball and the green. After several minutes of debating how to hit the shot, the old man said, “When I was your age I'd hit the ball right over that tree.” With that challenge placed before him, the youngster swung hard, hit the ball up, right smack into the top of the tree trunk, and it thudded back onto the ground not a foot from where he stood.</p><p>The old man offered one more comment, “Of course, son, when I was your age, that pine tree was only four feet tall.”</p><p>u</p><p>LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Come out to Historic Johnson Farm on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for the annual Spring Festival.</p><p>The cost is $5 for adults; $3 for students; free for preschoolers. The event will offer food and entertainment throughout the day. New this year is the grand opening of the historic cottage used by Etta, the summer cook's helper at the Johnson Farm. It reflects the simple life lived on a farm in the 1940s and 1950s. Among the musical performers will be the Green Valley Cloggers, a group that was formed in 1978 and has performed all over the Southeast. Also performing will be the Asheville Cloggers; two bluegrass bands, Canoe Grass and Boylston Creek; and a duo of dulcimer players. You can watch demonstrations of old-time Appalachian crafts, and farm volunteers will host a bake sale featuring luscious, buttery pound cakes, some of which are based on the original Johnson family recipe. Guided tours of the farmhouse will be offered, and you can even enjoy a fun-filled ride in an authentic farm wagon pulled over the wooded country trail.</p><p>The Historic Johnson Farm is at 3346 Haywood Road in Hendersonville.</p><p>Reach Lou Parris at 828-694-7836 or molehills@blueridgenow.com.</p>